Related Links

High-tech firm to bring 100 jobs to Flagler

Published: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 11:04 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 10:54 p.m.

BUNNELL -- A high-tech firm plans to locate its headquarters and create 100 jobs over three years in Flagler County, which has struggled with the highest jobless rate in the state.

Coastal Cloud LLC, a high-tech firm using cloud-based technology, also announced plans to build a 30,000-square-foot facility, welcome news in a county that had a jobless rate of 11.2 percent in December.

The company is owned by Tim and Sara Hale, who also own Graphene, an information technology consulting firm. The pair made a presentation Wednesday to the Flagler County Economic Opportunity Advisory Council seeking local incentives for the project.

The company has been approved by state officials for a Qualified Target Industry incentive of $548,800 tied directly to job creation. A local incentive of $500 per job created, paid out over a period of four years, must be approved by Flagler County commissioners.

Helga van Eckert, executive director at the county's Department of Economic Opportunity, said she has been working with the Hales for six months to bring Coastal Cloud to Flagler County. She said the local incentives the company is seeking are “100 percent performance based” and “at no time will the county put out more than $50,000.”

She also said the jobs created are expected to pay "in the mid-40s."

Wednesday's presentation was one part in-person and one part virtual, with Tim Hale addressing the economic board via the Internet. He explained the company's background and business focus.

“Fundamentally we use high technology to help our clients be more successful,” he said. “We intend to build what we call a ‘solution center' in Flagler County.”

Hale said his company is looking to take advantage of a growing trend in information technology called “rural IT outsourcing,” which he described as a move to create information technology jobs in the U.S. rather than overseas in places like India and China.

“We are really going after the offshore IT market,” he said.

The company projects it will initially create 15 jobs this year with an additional 35 jobs created in 2014 and 50 more in 2015. Tim Hale said the company expects revenues of $2 million the first year, $7 million the second year and $14 million by year three.

“Hopefully we're going to grow faster than this,” he said. “We are prepared to really crank up the engine in terms of high-tech, high-paying jobs. If this thing really takes off, it could be 500 (jobs).”

Advisory council member Mike Gill, speaking by phone from Chicago, said he was excited by the prospect of Coastal Cloud coming to Flagler County.

“I think this is the type of thing that is exactly on the strategy we were talking about,” he said. “I think it's a really important opportunity for Flagler County and something I would recommend to the County Commission to support.”

Flagler County Commissioner Barbara Revels, who also serves as the advisory council's chairwoman, said the idea that a Flagler County company could be attracting job seekers from other areas is good news.

“For a change we wouldn't have people commuting out of Flagler, but commuting in,” she said.

Van Eckert said the company is also using a local company to design its website and is working with the Center for Business Excellence and Daytona State College to create local training programs.

In addition to the possible incentives, Tim Hale said Flagler County's "quality of life" was a factor in the company's decision to build its headquarters here.

“Quality of life was a big factor,” he said. “What we have to offer here we have the flexibility to do anywhere.”

Hale said another factor is the presence of retired executives in the area.

“There is a significant opportunity with early-retired executives,” he said. “I'm confident we'll be able to find a good bunch of folks.”

<p>BUNNELL -- A high-tech firm plans to locate its headquarters and create 100 jobs over three years in Flagler County, which has struggled with the highest jobless rate in the state.</p><p>Coastal Cloud LLC, a high-tech firm using cloud-based technology, also announced plans to build a 30,000-square-foot facility, welcome news in a county that had a jobless rate of 11.2 percent in December.</p><p>The company is owned by Tim and Sara Hale, who also own Graphene, an information technology consulting firm. The pair made a presentation Wednesday to the Flagler County Economic Opportunity Advisory Council seeking local incentives for the project.</p><p>The company has been approved by state officials for a Qualified Target Industry incentive of $548,800 tied directly to job creation. A local incentive of $500 per job created, paid out over a period of four years, must be approved by Flagler County commissioners.</p><p>Helga van Eckert, executive director at the county's Department of Economic Opportunity, said she has been working with the Hales for six months to bring Coastal Cloud to Flagler County. She said the local incentives the company is seeking are “100 percent performance based” and “at no time will the county put out more than $50,000.” </p><p>She also said the jobs created are expected to pay "in the mid-40s."</p><p>Wednesday's presentation was one part in-person and one part virtual, with Tim Hale addressing the economic board via the Internet. He explained the company's background and business focus. </p><p>“Fundamentally we use high technology to help our clients be more successful,” he said. “We intend to build what we call a 'solution center' in Flagler County.” </p><p>Hale said his company is looking to take advantage of a growing trend in information technology called “rural IT outsourcing,” which he described as a move to create information technology jobs in the U.S. rather than overseas in places like India and China. </p><p>“We are really going after the offshore IT market,” he said. </p><p>The company projects it will initially create 15 jobs this year with an additional 35 jobs created in 2014 and 50 more in 2015. Tim Hale said the company expects revenues of $2 million the first year, $7 million the second year and $14 million by year three. </p><p>“Hopefully we're going to grow faster than this,” he said. “We are prepared to really crank up the engine in terms of high-tech, high-paying jobs. If this thing really takes off, it could be 500 (jobs).”</p><p>Advisory council member Mike Gill, speaking by phone from Chicago, said he was excited by the prospect of Coastal Cloud coming to Flagler County.</p><p>“I think this is the type of thing that is exactly on the strategy we were talking about,” he said. “I think it's a really important opportunity for Flagler County and something I would recommend to the County Commission to support.”</p><p>Flagler County Commissioner Barbara Revels, who also serves as the advisory council's chairwoman, said the idea that a Flagler County company could be attracting job seekers from other areas is good news.</p><p>“For a change we wouldn't have people commuting out of Flagler, but commuting in,” she said.</p><p>Van Eckert said the company is also using a local company to design its website and is working with the Center for Business Excellence and Daytona State College to create local training programs.</p><p>In addition to the possible incentives, Tim Hale said Flagler County's "quality of life" was a factor in the company's decision to build its headquarters here.</p><p>“Quality of life was a big factor,” he said. “What we have to offer here we have the flexibility to do anywhere.” </p><p>Hale said another factor is the presence of retired executives in the area. </p><p>“There is a significant opportunity with early-retired executives,” he said. “I'm confident we'll be able to find a good bunch of folks.”</p>